//------------------------------//
// Chapter 1: Remember to Forget 
// Story: Two Birds of a Feather 
// by Onyx Star 
//------------------------------//

Two Birds of a Feather -- By Onyx Star

Chapter 1

Remember to Forget


I slowly trot down the stone, torch-lit halls of Canterlot Castle, an eerie silence filling the atmosphere, nothing but the sounds of armoured hooves hitting the ground; the stone-like appearance and expression of the two guards escorting me did nothing to make me feel any more welcome.

This was my home now, these were my new brothers, it may take some getting used to but I am no stranger to this lifestyle. Nobody here knows me or knows what I've done and soon enough I won't either. As we approached my room at the end of the hallway the guard on the left, a Thestral like me but clad in polished onyx armour opened the door for me and escorted me in, the second guard was not a Thestral, but a pegasus that was white as snow and clad in elegant golden armour that was almost blinding, I assumed he was part of the Solar Guard, but the reason for his presence eluded me, I'm sure I'll find out with patience.

''Welcome to your new home, you'll find a full suit of armour already set up in your room and if you need anything just go to the guard post at the other end of the hall'' said the Thestral breaking the tension, there was a slight warmth to his voice that made me feel welcome.

''I'm commander Blindsight and I'll be your CO for the days to come, if you have any problems or questions about your new life you can come to me, if any of the other soldiers step out of line, you come to me, if anyone wearing gold gives you a hard time, you be sure to give them a forehoof to the face, and then you come to me'' there was a slight chuckle from him as the Solar Guard next to him gave a disapproving look.

''That's against protocol and your troops are often the ones who start the conflict, not mine and if I recall, your soldiers have never won a fair fight and have yet to win a single challenge against my troops'' his voice was smug and calculating, he knew he'd made the right move in what seemed like an unending mental game of chess.

''And I seem to recall that you shouldn't even be here at all, you're only here because Princess Selena has shown such an interest in this recruit and Princess Celestia needed somepony to see why, although needless to say the same happens whenever you get a batch of recruits and it is rather odd that a single recruit would be taken in on such short notice, this far into the year'' Commander Blindsight said, cocking his eyebrow in curiosity, pondering the idea in his head but quickly dismissed the notion. ''Don't mind Commander Firebrand rookie, he's my Solar counterpart, it may not look it but there isn't anyone I'd rather be serving with, we have a 'unique' relationship: I respect him, his views and his opinions and he respects me and mine''

I could see the level of respect that these two commanders had for each other, it was admirable, the level of respect that can only be earned through years of friendship and trust.

''We won't keep you any longer rook, welcome to Blackout Company by the way, you'll report to the parade square tomorrow morning but before you do, you're instructed to report to the Medical Centre to see the Doc'' the Commander ushered his counterpart to leave ''I'll catch up with you in a minute Commander'' 

He leaned in close to me whispering with a hint of severity in his voice ''Don't let the warm welcome fool you, this is no joke, I expect you to do your job just like everypony else. I don't care what you've done or why you're here but you leave your past at the door. You're gonna see the doctor tomorrow and he's gonna make sure you're fit for duty; if you value your new life here with your brothers, you'll do well to listen to the doc, do you understand recruit?''

I stood my ground, I was not going to let myself be intimidated; I looked him right in the eyes, I didn't move a muscle, being at the bottom of the chain of command would take some getting used to but it's not like I had a choice so I may as well accept the circumstances and besides, I don't think he's the type of pony I want to be on the bad side of and he seems to genuinely care so I figure it's wise if I listen to him.

''Yes sir, I understand'' I said trying to show that I was willing to cooperate, after all, in the long run it would benefit me.

''Good, you'll fit in well around here then'' he gestured as he shut the door and turned to catch up with the other Commander.

The room was quite large, it was more like the room of an officer rather than a recruit, the room was used for special cases much like my own, I guess because of the timing of all this, there wasn't time to get a bunk in the main barracks ready, and perhaps they figured it was best to keep me separated from the other soldiers so I could be properly introduced which seemed like a good idea.

I walked over to the desk by the window , I focused on the desk and a black and green aura formed in front of me and took the form of a book. Thestrals were not known to have magic, this was something else, something that's been with me for a very long time, it's often helped me in times of need, this black-green magic could take the shape of most everyday objects or even weapons if needed although they can't be maintained for long enough to make a difference in a fight; this power was a gift I received long ago.

I'd written in this book before, not a lot though, just out of curiosity above all else, but now I guess it's as good a time as any. From what I was told, whatever was written in this book would appear in another book somewhere else in the world and vice versa. Where that book was or who had it remains a mystery to me.

I used the quill and ink that was conjured up with the book and began to write:

Brigand's Log,

I've never been known for writing but I figure the situation calls for it. My life is no longer my own and with every second that passes I lose part of myself; this is my way of remembering who I am, who I was and most importantly, why I'm here; to serve as a reminder of what I've done and so that someday, people may know the truth, not what they're told to see, or what they want to see, but what's really out there.

My mother always told me that history, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if we face it with courage, need not be lived again yet before my very eyes, I can see history repeating its self, although, I should feel honoured, I was given a second chance, a new life, something most ponies would give anything to have, and the conditions aren't bad, many ponies dream of being in the service of Princess Selena and I have the opportunity to search for something I lost long ago.

I was in an odd position as when I was given my second chance, it was on the condition that I devote my life to The Lunar Empire and Princess Selena, not that it was negotiable in any way, the alternative was far worse. The Princess prefers the company of Thestrals anyways, hybrid bat-ponies that serve her although the majority of her Lunar Guard come from Hollow Shades or The Badlands. I on the other hand come from a part of Equestria ponies don't usually tend to come from. I was raised in the Crystal Mountains, home of the Changelings of Equestria. These aren't the friendliest bunch in Equestria but they're not the ravenous drones ponies are told about to scare them into supporting a war or joining the Equestrian Defence Force, they're regular ponies just like you or me.

These Changelings are different, the Drones need to feed on love to stay alive, these Changelings are not Drones, they're free thinking and have alternative ways of staying alive, they're able to love each other, and that combined with a stronger gene pool topped off with some dark magics makes them self sufficient; they're main populace are a series of villages in the heart of the Crystal Mountains, an area far secluded from the rest of the world, a place where they could live freely although that doesn't mean they don't still follow the Changeling Regime and would still lay down their lives for the ideals of that regime.

I was found by a stream that cuts through the mountains, where a female changeling by the name of Mirage. I was something new, ponies were rarely seen around the villages but a Thestral was an even rarer sight, I guess some motherly instinct kicked in and she took pitty on me because the next thing I knew I was being carried to the village. She was married to a changeling known as Doppelgänger, a commander in the Changeling Army and they had a child around my age named Revenant, a child I would know to call 'brother'.

I still remember the reactions of the village inhabitants when my new mother brought me to the village, some wanted her to put me back, other more traditional changelings wanted to just kill me and there were a few who put forth the idea of harvesting me for power but for some reason she wanted to keep me, raise me as one of her own, show the changelings that it could be done, she'd always hoped for the day ponies no longer fear them. Eventually she managed to convince the others to stop pestering her about it... mostly and even got the okay from the village elders about letting me live a 'normal' changeling life, I guess the first step was giving me a changeling name, so she decided to call me Brigand, not the most welcoming of names but it was mine.

End Log.

I placed my quill on the desk and the book vanished in a puff of black and green smoke, it was enough writing for one night, I had a big day ahead of me tomorrow. I glanced out of the window, the moon and stars were out in all their glory, and below was the capital in all its magnificence, I'd never seen the city from this perspective, although I'm sure most of the ponies here were all used to it but the moon and stars were always a rare sight for me as my mother always told me to stay away from the edge of the mountains, that is to say I went there anyway from time to time to get a proper view of the night sky.

I walked across the other end of the room where a lone mannequin stood clad in a set of midnight blue armour that had been freshly polished prior to my arrival, it was the usual gear worn by most recruits of the Lunar Guard; as you progressed through the ranks your armour became more elegant and detailed, much like the armour worn by Commander Blindsight. I could see my reflection in the armour, I grinned so I could inspect my fangs: pearly white with a wicked edge, perfect for both eating and a surprise offensive move, although I never liked the idea of using them as a weapon, giving the world another reason to think we're monsters.

I approached the candle lighting the room and put it out with a gentle blow, my eyes then quickly adjusted to the dark room, a characteristic most Thestrals and even some ponies had because of our eyes. I made my way over to the bed, it was softer than I expected, a good night’s sleep was just what I needed to prepare for the next day although, I suppose I will have to get used to being up in the nights. I shut my eyes and in my slumber, I thought about everything that had happened so far, unaware of what was to come.